Recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global competition in the Arctic. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
